Graffiti is literally everywhere in South Florida. Bus stops, warehouses, billboards, train cars and more are easy targets for area youth to vandalize. Recently, graffiti tagging became front page news when Miami Beach police used a tazer on Israel Hernandez-Llach after pursuing him for vandalizing an abandoned building with graffiti. Hernandez died as a result of that incident, sparking widespread outcry and protests over an alleged use of excessing force by the officers. But what if Hernandez had a safe and legal venue through which to express his graffiti art? Could this tragedy have been avoided? Local woman Karyne Laurent, […]

A child’s first night in foster care is a confusing and fearful moment in time. The best word I can use to describe that moment is vulnerable. I wish everyone could witness that moment so they could grasp both the depth of helplessness and sorrow of a broken family, as well as the power and comfort of a Christian family. I know for certain that if you witnessed those first few moments, it would change you forever. That’s what happened to a new foster family I talked to recently. They told me about their anxiety-filled car ride to pick up […]

Robin Martin Good News When was the last time you met a South Florida native? Think about it. Every day I meet people from all across our community and rarely do I find someone who was born and raised here in the tri-county area. To call South Florida a transient population is an understatement, as the growth of the region has primarily been on account of migration and tourism. With the airport, seaport, and railway, Florida is easily accessible for those who want to take in the wonderful weather and the beautiful cities. Founded as a magnet for those seeking […]

The United States ranks as the fourth-largest mission field in the world. Millennials (those born between 1978 and 2000) in our nation number 95 million, with only 15 percent identifying themselves as evangelicals. This is the very definition of a post-Christian nation. A staggering 96 percent of South Florida’s population is lost or unchurched, even though many vibrant gospel-centered congregations exist in our community. The answer is not replacing the church but connecting Christ and culture through the local church. Author and Pastor, J.D. Greear, reminds us that “of the 40 miracles recorded in the book of Acts, 39 happened […]

A new thrift store, World of Hope, opened its doors in North Lauderdale for the first time last month. World of Hope seeks to do just what its name implies — offer the hope of Jesus to the world. With a retail location as a furniture and thrift store, World of Hope is raising funds to provide support to Broward County’s homeless and helpless. A heart to help The vision for the store was birthed four years ago when founder Leo Dodier, along with his wife Donna, felt the call to make a difference in their community. Romans 8:28 reminds […]

South Florida is one of the most beautiful, yet broken places in our nation. In one sense, we live in paradise as we daily enjoy what others pay to experience. In another sense, South Florida takes everything that is broken about our world and puts it on a giant billboard for all to see. One painful example of our community’s brokenness is homelessness. According to the most recent count reported by the Florida Council on Homelessness, the South Florida, tri-county area reported 9,726 men, women and children who are homeless. In Broward County alone, over 150 families are on the […]

By: Jeff Stuncard ‘For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and give you drink? ‘And when did we see you a stranger, and invite you in, or naked, and clothe you? ‘And when did we see you sick, or […]

More than a quarter of a million students will be returning to schools across Broward County on Monday, August 19th. As a parent of high school-age triplets, my wife, Susan, and I can relate to the demands of getting children ready for the school year. Amid the commotion of the season, it is important to always remember our number one back-to-school priority: keeping kids safe. As we approach the start of the 2013-14 school year, I encourage you to talk with your children about safety and share with them these important tips: • If your child is walking to or […]